Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-03
REAL ESTATE MATTERS.
What Some of the Heal Estate Men
think of Annual assessments.

II
What Some of the Heal Estate Men
think of Annual Assessments.
OPENING OF THE RENTING SEASON AND THE ACTIVITY
AMONG HOUSE HUNTERs-TAxATIoN OF SUBURBAN
PROPERTY IN IT'S RELATION TO THE DISTRICT
KEvENUEs-A ROW OF OFFICE BUILDINGS.
The published announcement of the intention
of the Commissioners to recommend to Congress
legislation providing for yearly assessments OF the
yaiue OF real estate In the District, instead of
trienninal assessments has not, as yet, caused
much discussion in real-estate circles as far at
least, as STAR reporter was able to ascertain
several real-estate dealers were asked for their
opinion, and they all said that they had not given
the subject any thought. ore dealer was OF the
opinion that It would be more equitable than the
present system, for the reason that ft would give
the owner and the city the benefit OF all f1ucIua-
lions in value III the value OF property decreased
from one year 20 another then the taxes would be
pr0p0Ttlonately less but If there was an advance
then the city would benefit from the increase In
the taxes. Another dealer said that IL property
continued to advance as IL had In recent years the
annual assessments would, without doubt, in
crease the revenue OF the District. Then the ap-
preparations would increase and there would be
more money TO eXpend each year upon improve
mentS. Both OF the dealers ABOVE referred to
Thought That an important reform would be to
make the payment OF taxes annual instead of
semi-annual, as they find it OF less trouble for
property placed in their hands to be managed to
pay the entire tax at once and have the matter
disposed of for the year.
one OF the dealers however was of the opinion
thaL IL would DE mistake to have annual assess
meRtS or property because of the effect upon
those VINO owned property here. but who reside
mostly In other parts OF the country. He thought
that instead Of the amount of taxes due on their
property being practically a fixed amount from
one year 10 another there would be introduced an
clement Oh uncertainty. He said that one OF the
chief attractions OF Washington property for for
egn capital was the stability OF the taxes, con-
dition OF things which existed In no other city In
country.
were on piece OF property, and they also knew
thaG there was no chance on any change being
mdde during the three years after assessment
was made. The taxes were low here and were
permanent, and these two facts were great In
ducenents 10 those seeking safe and profitable in
veStmentS He thought that nothing ought to be
done by the District authorities TO brighten away
this class OF investors. OF course, he said, the
object Is to increase the District revenues, but
there seems 10 be no great need OF additional
money. The progress made in Improvements car
RED Oh by the District government and private
individuals was now sufficiently rapid and at the
present rate great changes would be made in the
course OF a few years He thought that a cOnser-
Improvements and nothing should be done to pro-
mote unhealthy activity. Yearly assessments
would require the employment Of additional cler-
lea! force In the District buildings, and would
probably result In the establishment of perma-
nent BOARD or assessors. AS their work is gen
orally done in the summer, when many OF the
property holders are away from the city the latter
would be unable TO appear and object to what
they may consider unjust. He thought 1t might
there was great need for the money, he did not
think that 1t would be advisable TO make any
change in the present system.
THE HoUSE-HUNTERs.
September In this city is the month that Is gen
orally devoted to house-hunting. There are a
great many people engaged In that occupation
just now. From the account Of their experiences
might easily be concluded that IL is not altogether
pleasant. There are great many houses vacant,
Dut there are great many people who are in
search or houses, and these conditions are OF
annual occurrence. Many people give up their
houses in the early summer, expecting to lind
others in the fall, and then there are transient
visitors who come TO spend the winter here. For
these reasons houSe-renting is quite feature of
the real estate season during the early fall months.
The question or rents Is always disputed one.
Some say that rents are too high, while Others
maintain that the rentals obtained pay only a
moderate interest ON the investment The activity
In building would seem TO have an effect upon
rents, but The Increase in the population appears
TO absorb the extra supply or houses. The people
or moderate means. EOvever, still demand small
houses at low reaL., and tine supply, as usual is
not equal 10 tie deaiand Houses renting from
So IL $50 are seldom vacant ii the f:eg.1OroOd is
at all good, and this is az evidence that the
demand FOR TIL, class % houses IS an active one
ASSESSMENT Of sUBUaAN PROPERTY.
The recent decision az the District Office that
land claSSed as agricultural when the last trien-
NAL assessment was made, and which has subSe-
queDtly been subdvdad iuto city lots, is still sub
Ject only u the tax for agricultural land until the
next assessment, affects large area OF land
This land, upon the basis OF recent sales has III
Creased Immensely Ia value, ami II tax OF s1.5O
per hundred upon this Increased value, calculated
Dy the foot Instead or Dy the acre, collected,
theTe would De very appreciaDie difference In
the amount paid into the District treasury, as
compared with the tax OF 81 per hundred upon
Iahi rated as agricultural at so IaUCh per acre.
This difference is wei illustrated by single SUBJ
urban SUBDIVISION, which low on the agricultural
D.SiS pays yearly tax % 500. II ali assessment
is made OF half tie ydiu6 as determined By recent
safes, this Same amount OF land would pay
yearly into the District treasury S. zoo The same
IS true OF all the land recently subdivided and II
te rer-ioot assessment could be extended to them
az once, the reyenucs CT the District would be
considerably increased.
ROW or OFFICE BUILDINGS.
Mr.. Motley Anderson has leased the ground at
the southwest corner or Nth and G streets north
west, and has begun the erection of a row OF one
story buildings which Will be used for Office Dur
poses THIS site was occupied Tor years by Small
the llDrlSt or his business but since the erection
Oy Mr.. small OF his new building on the opposite
corner, IL has been unOccupied.
Poison i'm Mrs. Gilliam,s Beer.